Page 19 of Sassy Love
“I’m on shift til tomorrow. Can the boys help?”
From the boys in the group chat:
Pin her to the wall and fuck her outta ya system, bud.
Dexter.
Yeah, cos that won’t land you in purgatory. You idiot, Dex.
Griffin
Griff and Dex, two twins who couldn’t be more different if they tried. One the party boy and reluctant legal eagle, the other the straitlaced lawyer. Griffin is who I recommended Carlie to, but she wouldn’t know, since she obviously never opened the email I sent before I quit that hellhole Carlson runs. The four of us have been inseparable sincecollege, catching up at least once a month, more if a game is on that one of us wants to see.
The third floor is abuzz with the usual business when I walk past reception.
Nadia waves and smiles like we’re best friends. Like only two people who have battled a jammed copier can be. I return the smile and wave. She’s on the phone but finishes quickly and hangs up, hurrying after me. “Lawson.”
I stop, my satchel swinging into my hip. “Morning.”
“Yes, I just wanted to thank you for your help with the copier the other day. That thing hates me, I swear.” She pushes a stray strand of hair behind her ear before wringing her hands in front of her.
“It’s all good. Happy to help.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“Have a great day, hey.” I head toward the glass corner of hell.
“Um, Lawson?” Nadia is still behind me, looking anywhere but at me.
Oh . . .
Oh.
“Let’s head to the break room.” I usher her to the room we barely frequent and close the door. “I think we have our wires crossed, Nadia. I’m not looking for a relationship or anything of the sort right now.”
Her face flushes, and her focus remains stuck to the floor. “Okay...”
“Hey, it’s just my life, okay? You did nothing wrong, and I would be honored to call you my friend.”
Now, she looks up. “You would?”
“Absolutely.”
“Oh great. I could use one of those.”
I frown. What’s that supposed to mean?
“Alright, well, if you’re okay, I’m going to head to the office before the dragon lady starts timing my arrivals.”
She laughs at my joke about Carlie.
“Carlie is the best applicant this place has had for years. Serelle was so excited she applied.” She looks almost apologetic as she says it.
“I have no doubt. See you later.”
“Yeah, later.”
I leave the break room and walk through the desks toward the corner office. Carlie is already seated at her desk with the door open, typing away on her laptop as she glances downward at the desk and swipes up her phone. Even from here, I can hear her conversation.
